Get to Know Julio Muñoz, AmeriCorps Maker Fellow
“I choose to serve because I want to provide opportunities to those who need them the same way I was given opportunities when I was younger. I believe everyone deserves equal opportunity and choosing to serve is my way of trying to achieve that equality.”
Hear from Julio and Dr. Shelly Rodriguez from UTeach about how Julio found the AmeriCorps Maker Fellow program, and what his experience has been like.
Julio Muñoz is a current AmeriCorps Maker Fellow through the Citizen School’s Makers + Mentors Network (M+MN). He currently serves as a Fellow at his Host Site, The University of Texas at Austin UTeach Maker. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Julio describes himself as an explorer, adaptable, and creative. Get to know him more through our sit down conversation, below:
What about the maker movement inspires you?
What inspires me about the maker movement is the possibility that students will have an opportunity to discover a new way of learning that they might have never known was possible. I, for sure, would have loved having hands-on learning when I was in my K-12 years because it wasn't until recently that I discovered that I learn significantly easier and faster when I get my hands on something. Providing this as an alternate way of learning will guarantee an incredible future for us all.
Julio collaborated with Ken Hawthorn on this Cranky Contraption using just upcycled cardboard and a laser cutter.
What is the most memorable activity you've done at your Host Site?
The most memorable activity that I have done at my Host Site is help create a workshop for Cranky Contraptions. Showing other makers the endless possibilities of things you can create using household items brought me so much joy. Knowing that each one of those makers will take that information and evolve it into something more is what excites me the most.
How does the word community resonate with you in your day-to-day tasks?
The word community resonates with me in my day-to-day task by reminding me that every action or step that I take in my work will be for those around me. Whether I am working alone in an office space or actively collaborating with other people around me, I know that I will always have the support of the community and that community will receive support from me.
Julio discovered his passion for making through theater. In addition to Stage Managing, he quite frequently helped in other aspects of tech as the crews were always small. This is a 3-person puppet he helped make for a high school production of Shrek the Musical. The wings, mouth, and tail moved and the eyes could change color.
For those looking to get involved in Making, what's one thing you would advise them to do to get started?
For those looking to get involved in making, I advise them to connect with a friend or make a friend that is a maker as a starting point. Asking that maker friend about projects they have done will start a whole conversation about things that they are proud of creating (which is most likely everything they have created). Once that conversation gets going, you will most likely discover something of interest that will lead you down your own rabbit hole of things that you want to make.
What’s one fun fact about you?
I somehow managed to keep a goldfish that I won at a carnival alive for 12 years. His name was Goldy.
Thank you for inspiring us all, Julio! Want to learn more about Making and Maker Education? Check out our Resource Library.
As told by Julio to Meredith Adamczyk and Alexa Rose
About Makers + Mentors Network
The Makers + Mentors Network (M+MN) is a STEM initiative of Citizen Schools and advances its mission through three primary models: National Community of Practice, Make For All, and AmeriCorps Maker Fellows. Since 2014, the team has worked toward uplifting STEM mentoring and through the addition of Make For All and AmeriCorps Maker Fellows, supporting maker-centered learning.